Posted on 04/09/2025 12:43:16 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
Mamamia spoke to six women about their experiences giving birth in seven different countries, where expectations around pregnancy, birth and postpartum care were distinctly unique.
Simone is an Australian who moved to LA with her husband and two dogs for a planned two-year work (and life) adventure. They returned home eight years and two babies later.
‘In America, they allow you one or two nights in hospital but that’s it. You’re out,’
This was pretty much the opposite of Jodie’s experience in Tel Aviv, Israel where she had her first two babies. ‘They had a health centre dedicated to pre-natal and post-natal exercise, educational programs (including food preparation, baby first-aid and more) as well as support groups (usually 5-10 women run by a social worker with your bubs),’ she explains.
…For Mihal, the highlight of giving birth in the Netherlands was the kraamzorg. This is a midwife that comes to your house every day for about eight days, for six hours each time, to check the baby, clean the house and help look after older kids and mum.
Health insurance in the Netherlands is compulsory, and it fully covers the cost of the kraamzorg (who provides support to all new mums, regardless of where they give birth).
In Hong Kong, rest and recovery for new mums is also part of the culture, Aviva explains. ‘The mother and baby stay home for 40 days of confinement and are supported by family or helpers. There is a culture of support. Even after the 40 days, babies aren’t really seen out and about, they should stay home. If the mother leaves, there is always someone at home to care for the baby.’
(Excerpt) Read more at mamamia.com.au ...
The Good Earth
I know in Hungary the hospital stay is much longer than in the United States.
My relatives all live in Europe, and I can attest that their post natal care was unbelievable. This of course may not continue... because the US has been financially propping up the EU by offering it complete military protection, those member states do not have to spend much on their military and instead spend on social programs. European Drs are also not burdned by the insane prices of medical liability insurance s suing is much more difficult and uncommon. Trump is finally asking them to pay up.. so the spending on care will undoubtedly diminish.
My daughter, who is a doula, had three of my four grandchildren in a kids wading pool in her bedroom. Scares the bejeebers out of me.
The first time she invited the wife and I over for dinner. I thought this would be my last chance to convince her to give birth at a hospital. She met me at the door with my granddaughter in her arms.
My Japanese wife was shocked and disappointed when she found out she wouldn’t be staying at the hospital for several weeks post-partum the way they do in her home country.
She handled it well. I did everything I could to make it as comfortable as possible for her the first week. She ended up appreciating being home as she didn’t want to deal with everyone at the hospital anyway.
In the USA it is like running the gauntlet away from the abortion clinic.
“for several weeks “
LOL! And you believed her?
Now hospitals are responsible for providing friend and family networks? Force-feeding, in the Internet age, any special knowledge that slips through the cracks?
Our modern maternity and paternity leave policies have 40 days at home lapped.
I see you have the machine that goes “PING!”
Several weeks in the hospital? Is that why the Japanese choose to have so few babies?
Ha ha.
I’ve heard it’s comparable to a kidney stone.
Been there, done that. No thanks.
When we were in Galway Ireland back in 1994, it was common to see women who left their babies outside the shop door in a tram while mom shopped. One time it was raining & the trams had clear plastic covers with an elastic edge. I’ve oftened wondered if that’s still the case today.
Its the same in Scandanavia. Its high latitude and the babies need some exposure to sun and fresh air. With the advent of 3rd world immigration I do not know if that will continue.
"A boy or a girl?"
"I think it's a little early to start imposing roles on it, don't you?"
Had a cousin who birthed her first four kids at home because they didn’t have insurance. Her husband became a teacher with insurance & the only reason she agreed to use the hospital was if they let her out the same day which they did. She reminds me of the lady in Planes, Trains & Automobiles. Her first one came out sideways…
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